He estimates that clients currently seeking advice on their financial situation - a total of 350 complex debt cases and 400 'self help' debt cases - owed on average more than £20,000 each.

Yet national CAB figures suggest that on average debt related CAB clients owe an average of just £13,000 each.

Mr Patel said debtors in Widnes and Runcorn were 'sinking deeper into overwhelming debt' and said for many it will take a lifetime to escape.

He said a major factor in Halton's debt crisis was the large number of people on benefits who are classed as high risk in the eyes of creditors and therefore cannot obtain loans at the same interest rates enjoyed by the better off.

He added: 'Average debt in Halton is a lot higher than the level shown by the national re-search.

We have done our own research into the demand for debt advice, and our figure for debt is around £20,000 per client and compared with the country as a whole this is much higher.

'The Government conducted research in 2004 which found that nationally 7% of households have a debt problem.

'But they also found that in areas of poverty and deprivation the figure is much higher.

'We took into account all the factors and we found that one in five of Halton people have a debt problem.'

Lifetime of poverty for debtors

HALTON'S debt crisis is being highlighted following the publication of a national CAB report entitled Deeper in Red.

The report reveals that CAB debt clients across the UK owe on average £13,153 - almost treble the level of three years ago.

The figure represents the equivalent of 17.5 times their monthly household income.

To pay the debts off at a rate they could afford would take an estimated 77 years - the time taken for a Halton debtor to get back in the black would be even longer.

Mr Patel said: 'Low income, combined with badly informed and poorly understood financial decisions are at the root of a lot of our clients' debt problems but in most cases people are forced into debt when they lose their job or fall ill. 'The reality is that they are condemned to a lifetime of poverty.'

Most vulnerable at highest risk >>>>>>>>>>>

Most vulnerable at highest risk

BENEFITS culture is a key cause underlying the borough's debt crisis.

And Mr Patel said benefits claimants are forced to pay the very highest rates of interest on loans, despite having the lowest incomes.

He said: 'There is a combination of factors behind this, one being that credit is so easy to get.

'But people don't realise what they are letting themselves in for.

'Because many people here are on benefits, they are classed as high risk and they tend to have to go to door-to-door collectors. They also use catalogues and store cards to shop, which charge more.

'They can end up paying back two or three times more than they borrow.

'If you are on benefits you can't get a cheap loan, but people on benefits often have to use credit if, for example, a fridge breaks down.

'People will even cut back on food expenditure to keep the creditors happy.

'In one case, a Halton family would buy a crate of beans and four loaves and live on that as their staple diet.'

DEBT Advice >>>>>>>>>>>

DEBT Advice

* Do not panic, but never ignore the problem - debts will not go away on their own.

* Do not borrow any more money.

* Gather together all the letters received from creditors and anyone else money is owed to as the CAB adviser will need to see them.

* Make a list of the household's income and collect benefit books, wage slips, etc.

* Make a list of monthly expenditure and gather details of car insurance, electricity, gas and water bills.

* Make an appointment with the CAB by calling 01928 710000 or visit www.haltoncab.org.uk